One Year in Gaza: Death Toll Reaches 42,065 As Israeli Strikes Intensify in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria; Israel Vows “Lethal” Retaliation against Iran
Oct. 7 marked one year of Israel’s war on Gaza. As of Thursday, at least 42,065 people have been killed in Gaza, including nearly 16,765 children. In the wider region, Israel’s expanding invasion of southern Lebanon has left more than 1,400 people dead and over 1.2 million displaced. On Tuesday, Israel launched three missiles targeting a residential and commercial building in Damascus in an attempt to assassinate a Hezbollah official, killing seven civilians.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on a call for the first time since August, while Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant vowed a “lethal, precise and surprising” strike against Iran.
Ukraine Claims Strike against North Korean Weapons in Bryansk, Russia
On Wednesday, Ukraine General Staff stated that Ukrainian drones struck a weapons arsenal that stored “ammunition for missile and artillery systems, including those delivered from North Korea,” in Bryansk, Russia the previous night. The report came a day after South Korea’s defense minister Kim Yong-hyun said it was “highly likely” North Korean soldiers were killed by Ukrainian missile strikes near Donetsk on Oct. 3.
North Korea has been accused of supplying weapons to Russia after the two countries adopted a mutual defense pact in June. In response to Russian attacks, Kyiv has been calling for more supplies of long-range weapons from Western powers.
Taiwan Braces Drills and Satellite from China ahead of National Day
Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai said the Taiwanese government is “prepared” following reports that China plans to launch military drills and a satellite on or around Oct. 10, Taiwan’s National Day, when Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te is expected to deliver his keynote speech to reaffirm Taiwan’s sovereignty and the rights of Taiwanese people to decide their future.
China conducted a two-day exercise — Joint Sword-2024A — in the air and sea around Taiwan after Lai’s inauguration May 20.
Cho hoped China would conduct military drills in areas under its jurisdiction, and avoid “[disrupting] regional security.” Taiwan would “continue to monitor and analyze the training dynamics” of China to “anticipate the situation.”
The U.K. Returns Sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
Last Thursday, the United Kingdom announced it is returning sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a joint statement issued by both countries. The U.K. will additionally provide a package of financial support to Mauritius to implement projects to boost its economy. The deal grants Mauritius full sovereignty over the remote archipelago. However, Diego Carcia, the largest and most southerly island, will remain under control of the United States as a military base.
The U.S. and India welcomed the decision, while some Chagossians, who have been campaigning for a referendum, have criticized the U.K. and Mauritian governments for excluding Chagossians from the negotiations.
Human Rights Groups Report Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Haiti’s Gang Violence
In a report published on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch said hundreds, if not thousands, of children “driven by hunger and poverty” have joined gangs and were forced to commit criminal acts ranging from extortion and looting to killing and kidnapping in Haiti. Severe hunger and lack of access to basic necessities are among the main reasons for the children, who make up a third of gang members, to join the groups.
The report came after a recent deadly gang attack killed at least 70 people and displaced 3,000 in Pont-Sonde, a town in central Haiti, last Thursday.
